RUTH -- WEEK 1 DAY 3

RUTH -- WEEK 1 DAY 3

Week 1 :: Day 3 — Bible Study — Ruth

Read Ruth 1:2-6

2. “And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephratbites of Bethlehem-judah. And they came into the county of Moab, and continued there.
3. And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; she was left and her two sons.
4. And they took them wives of the women of Moab: the name of one was Oprah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
6. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she has heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.”

✨Elimelech and his family were called Ephrathites because Ephrath was an earlier name for Bethlehem. He moved his family to Moab because of the famine (as I started yesterday famine in this scripture is more along the lines of a drought or a shortage of crops/food).

✨Why would Elimelech leave a place located in the Promise Land to move to somewhere so wicked and dark (Moab)? That definitely wasn’t Gods will. The study book states:: “They became comfortable outside of God’s design.”

In verse 6:: Naomi is being called back home by God. In the study book it states “From men’s perspective, Naomi was hopeless, but God saw every affliction she had faced. He saw her.” It also states, “It is a return to God’s grace, and in so many ways we need to return to His grace every day and find restoration, revival, and refreshment in His Word.”

We may not be sitting in a church, it may not be quiet where we are, or we may not be expecting it but the Lord will speak to us in His timing. He will lead us and show us signs of the decisions we need to make. We just have to follow him. As a result of Naomi’s husband leading them out of the Promise Land and into Moab that resulted in his death and then the death of both sons 10 years later. I truly believe God will give us consequences in our lives for the actions/wrong doings we may. I do not believe that these consequences will always result in death (this is just a consequence in this story), but I do believe that the consequences will make us rethink our choices.

I know I have said it a few times already, but we have to be patient. The Lord hears our prayers. We just have to keep praying. Don’t give up.

A little story: 14 years ago my husband and I was looking for a house before we got married. We had fell in love with a house, put a bid, and was on the way to sign the papers. Our realtor called and said “I’m so sorry. Don’t head this way. The paperwork fell through and we cannot close.” Ok. Immediately, I was angry. I was heartbroken. I prayed the Lord would provide us with the perfect house and I knew this is the house he was planning for us to get. I knew.. key work “I”. I questioned why it happened and why things worked out the way they did. Then we was back on the hunt and 6 months later finally bought a house. Fast forward to 14 years later on September 2024.. The house that our paperwork fell through on was completely flooded and destroyed from the flooding from the recent hurricane. the family who currently lives in that home has lost EVERYTHING. (I’m not saying the Lord isn’t looking out for the ones who live in the house now because the family is alive, healthy, and safe.. but His plan for them is great).. but God had a plan 14 YEARS. Yall, FOURTEEN YEARS ago he knew exactly what he was doing when the paperwork for that house fell through. Think about that. So when you pray don’t get discouraged (as hard as that is) because your prayer isn’t answered immediately or within weeks.. it took 14 YEARS for me to realize why my prayer wasn’t answered in the way I wanted it to be answered in. Be patient and trust.

🩵Look up Psalm 23:3 and Psalm 19:7 where the Hebrew word shown is translated as restore and revive. Write down any observations you notice in these cross-references.
-Psalm 23:3 “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the oaths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” When we choose sin and go our way and not Gods way we cannot blame God for the outcome and the environment we create for ourselves. My bible states— Rebelling against the Shepherd’s leading is actually rebelling against our own best interests.

-Psalm 19:7 “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” Perfect is the Lord only. We are not person nor will be ever be perfect. Making the wise simple— I see this as a testimony that God is telling and showing us to trust him and follow
Him.

Restore — bring something back to its original or former condition (but biblically it will be better than the original condition)

Revive — regain life

🩵What has God used in your life to restore and revive your heart?
🚨Reference to Job 42:10 “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

Jesus said that anyone who gives up something for the Kingdom of God will be repaid.

🩵How do we practically return to God’s grace each day?
A simple prayer to start and end the day, asking the Lord to bless the food we are about to receive. Thank him for allowing a safe trip to and from work, grocery shopping, or simply running errands. Telling someone about him, sharing a blessing he has blessed you with, or simply just telling someone about Him. Be kind and show love. There are SO many things we can do to return Gods grace everyday.

The study book has a quote that says “We have never wandered too far that He does not seek to draw us back to the promised land of His love and grace.”

🙏Dear Lord,
Thank you for opening my eyes to know that your plan is worth the wait. Help me to be understanding. I pray this study reaches and blesses someone who needs it. Help me by leading and guiding me to do your will. Teach me to love like Jesus.
-Amen
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